Liam Payne’s former bandmates in One Direction have shared a statement on the 31-year-old signer’s death, calling him a brother who they “loved dearly.”
(KTLA/NEXSTAR) – Liam Payne’s former bandmates in One Direction have shared a statement on the 31-year-old singer’s death, calling him a brother who they “loved dearly.”
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” reads a joint statement from Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, which was shared to Instagram Thursday.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
The message was signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 12: (L-R) Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne of One Direction attend the ’40 Principales’ awards 2014 ceremony on December 12, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Bandmate Louis Tomlinson posted a separate tribute to Payne on Instagram.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he wrote.
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for. Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band,” he continued. “For the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”
Tomlinson then wrote a message for Payne saying that he was “beyond lucky” to have had him in his life. He also said he’d be the uncle that Payne’s son “needs in his life.”
Liam Payne is seen on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
Payne died Wednesday in Buenos Aires, after falling from the third story of his hotel room.
The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation. On Wednesday, Reuters, citing the local outlet La Nacion, reported that police had been called to the hotel prior to Payne’s death after receiving a report concerning an “aggressive man” believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said the responding police officers arrived to find Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard.
Authorities said Payne did suffer “very serious injuries” in the fall and “there was no possibility of resuscitation.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details from his autopsy, released Thursday, said Payne died from “multiple traumas” and “internal and external hemorrhage” after he fell from the balcony of a third-story room of the Casa Sur hotel.
The coroners noted Payne suffered 25 injuries causing internal and external hemorrhages “in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs,” including injuries to his head that would have been fatal on their own.
“Given the position in which the body was left and the injuries from the fall, it is presumed that Payne did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen into a state of semi- or total unconsciousness,” prosecutors added.
The “Get Low” singer had previously been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 to his YouTube channel where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.
Payne passed away at 31 years old. He leaves behind a 7-year-old son.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.